Frequently Asked Questions

USA’s Summer Start is a six week, seven credit summer session that is scheduled from June 14-July 28, 2023. The program gives students a jump-start on college, and provides them with the opportunity to learn more about campus and engage in academic success activities during the summer term.

Enjoy a more relaxed summer classroom environment with small class sizes. Students learn "in community", sharing the same group of classes together. Get to know your way around campus and make new friends before fall term.

Students receive an invitation to start during the summer as part of the admission process.

Summer Start classes will run from June 14- July 26, 2023. Students living in on campus may move in on Sunday, June 11 between 3:00-5:00pm. All students participate in Summer Start Set-Up on Tuesday, June 13 from 3:00-6:00pm.

Residence Halls are open during the summer term for registered students. Summer Start students are also welcome to live at home. Pending review of student account balances, participants who have a fully complete Fall 2023 housing application will be permitted to move over to their fall room assignment at the conclusion of the summer session at no additional charge. 

Summer Start students will register for seven credit hours, including First Year Experience 100, English Composition I, and a social science course.

Successful students attend all class meetings, submit assignments on time, engage in learning activities, participate in other campus life opportunities, and connect with faculty and/or peer leaders. By developing good academic habits, good grades and success in college will follow. 

We expect all students to succeed. If you are ever uncomfortable with your performance, please connect with us. The Center for Academic Excellence is available for individual or group tutoring, and peer leaders are available during and after class. Professional advisors will meet with you to plan for fall coursework and are available for coaching appointments. We will work with you to strategize your next steps. 

Students take 7 credit hours over 6 weeks. Each week, you can expect to be in class from roughly 9:00am to 1:00pm. You will probably have an additional 4-5 hours daily of reading, writing, and other classwork. We don’t recommend a full-time job during Summer Start, and we would suggest caution in working more than 20 hours per week during the 6 week program. Sleep and exercise are critical for strong performance, and we emphasize total wellness for student success. 

Please submit your test scores for any advanced placement or international baccalaureate credit with your materials to Admissions.

In order to receive credit for your Dual Enrollment courses, you must send the Office of Admissions an official transcript from the institution through which you took dual enrollment courses. You must have received a minimum grade of a “C” (2.0) or better in order to satisfy your requirements. 

You can access and send your ACT scores through ACT.org 

You can access and send your SAT and AP scores through CollegeBoard.org. 

Feel free to email records@southalabama.edu with questions regarding transfer credit to The University of South Alabama. 

*If you have not sent your test scores or Dual Enrollment Credits yet, make sure to do this as soon as possible and let your advisor know what you have coming in. You can always show your Academic Advisor a screenshot of a test score or an unofficial transcript for the time being.

Students will take the university’s math placement exam together one afternoon during Summer Start. After the exam is scored, your advisor will assist with registration into the required math course.

Summer Start students attend Southbound Orientation for Summer Session on May 30, 2023. Once you are admitted to Summer Start, you will receive an invitation to Southbound Summer Orientation.

You will learn about advising and technology for registration during your FYE course in Summer Start. Your advisor will draft a fall schedule for you after the math placement exams are scored and we will register you for a set of classes. You will have an individual meeting with your advisor to discuss your schedule and select your remaining courses.

You may have a car on campus. For more information, visit Parking Services.

Payment for the Summer Start program can be handled by enrolling in the University Payment Plan, utilizing federal student aid through FAFSA or making an out of pocket payment to the Office of Student Accounting. A summer payment plan is available, with the first payment due on May 22, 2023. 

Students should file the 2022-2023 FAFSA (using 2020 tax information) at https://fafsa.gov to be considered for federal student loans and/or grants at a half time enrollment status for Summer Start. 

For additional information, you are welcome to contact Lauren Rhodes at lrhodes@southalabama.edu or make a Virtual Appointment.

Yes! In order to be considered for federal aid for Fall 2023/Spring 2024/Summer 2024, you will need to complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA (using 2021 tax information) at https://fafsa.gov.

Contact Dr. Nicole Carr, in Student Academic Success, at 251-460-7103.

The Center for Academic Excellence is open throughout the summers, and we offer tutoring, peer mentoring, advising, and other student services. The Rec Center will be available as well; it offers indoor and outdoor pools, as well as fitness classes. Your student ID will provide access to services. 

Yes, you should bring your own device, and you will need it for fall at South.